Fuming Gary Owers missed Bath City's first winning goal of the season as he was told not to emerge from the dressing room for the second half.

Frankie Artus deflected in Anthony Straker's free-kick as the Romans came from behind to defeat Truro City, ending a three-game losing streak to start the campaign.

But Owers was nowhere to be seen after referee Scott Jackson banished him from not only the Treyew Road dugout, but the stands too.

He had been perplexed by the non-award of a penalty for a perceived foul on Marvin Morgan, which would have been City's second spot kick of the half after the veteran striker had already been felled for the equaliser, converted by Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

Truro's goal was also preceded by an advantage that had Owers similarly baffled.

The 2017/18 Bath City squad (Image: Simon Howe)

When he asked for an explanation at the interval, he was told to stay out of sight of the pitch from thereon in.

Owers explained: "I asked the referee, I questioned why he didn't give us a penalty for a foul on Marvin which I thought was a penalty as clear as day, even clearer than the one he gave.

"And I questioned why he screamed, at the top of his voice, 'advantage' which ended up being such a good advantage that ten seconds later it was in the back of our net."

"It was a well-earned three points, a hard working three points," he said. "I can only speak for the first 45 minutes because I didn't see the second 45.

"Nevertheless it was fantastic to get our first win of the season, and hopefully that's the kick-start that we've been looking for, and we can do a little bit of chasing now and get up in that top half quite quickly."

Owers was, however, forced to remove Nick McCootie on 39 minutes for fear of a red card.

Bath City wideman Nick McCootie pings in a cross during their pre-season win over Cheltenham Town (Image: Simon Howe)

Not long after being booked, McCootie was called up for a challenge on the home keeper, the boss taking no risks and throwing Nat Jarvis on in his place.

"I like Nick, I love him as a guy, as a player for the team," Owers said. "I've seen that twice now and unfortunately I've had to take him off both times, where he just gets a little bit close to the edge.

"His riposte is that I want to see that passion in his play, and I do.

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That was swiftly followed by another penalty appeal soon after against the same front man, this time Owers' protestations were deemed sufficient enough by referee Scott Jackson to banish him from the touchline at the interval.

So whilst the Romans were busy kick-starting the season, Jim Rollo was left to step in charge for the remaining 45, with the Artus goal decisive in a second period plagued by fouls.